DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 470 KB)
May One Allow a Plumber to Perform Repairs on Shabbat?

The Mishna Berura (252:17) cites the Hayeh Adam (Rav Abraham Danzig of Vilna, 1748-1820) who rules that one may not allow a technician to remain in his house on Shabbat to complete repairs. Even though the technician is working on the basis of "Kablanut," a fixed fee per task, it is prohibited, because of "Marit Ayin." Outside observers may misconstrue the circumstances of the employment.

There is one exception to this principle. In cases where there is an issue of "Kavod Habriyot" (Human Dignity), e.g. a plumbing emergency, one may allow the technician to complete the repair. The Halachic weight of Kavod Habriyot overrides the concern of "Marit Ayin," which is a Rabbinic enactment.

SUMMARY
One may allow a technician to complete repairs in his home on Shabbat under circumstances compromising "Kavod Habriyot."

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Is it Permissible for a Physician to Write a Prescription on Shabbat?
Removing Hanging Fingernails and Cuticles on Shabbat
Carrying Less Than Four “Amot” in a Public Domain on Shabbat
Borer: How to Remove the Waste from a Food?
Borer: Selecting from a Mixture of Two Foods
Is it Permissible to Eat Food Cooked by a Non-Jew on Shabbat to Save a Life?
If One Covered a Pot of Partially Cooked Food on the Blech
Is It Permissible to Pour Cold Water into a Keli Rishon?
Is It Permissible to Reheat Congealed Foods?
Is It Permissible to Add Hot Water from an Urn into Cold Water on Shabbat?
Is It Permissible to Place Water Next to a Fire on Shabbat?
In the Event One Added Salt to Keli Rishon on the Blech
Is It Permissible To Insert Raw Beef into Keli Rishon?
Is It Permissible to Pour Salt into a Keli Rishon?
Does a Ladle Become a Keli Rishon When Dishing Out from a Pot?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found